Baked powder pencils, sticks and pellets, and methods of making and using the same

ABSTRACT

A baked powder pencil includes a housing having a base portion with a hollow interior and an opening that opens into the hollow interior. A stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the base portion. The stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material has an end portion that is arranged to extend through the opening of the base portion. The stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional shape and is configured to maintain its three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet may have a head section with multiple, generally planar surfaces extending in multiple respectively different planes, or a head section with a semi-spherical or semi-spheroid shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/053,690, filed Sep. 22, 2014, the entire contents of which arefully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Baked powder cosmetics have been made in a variety of colors, forexample, to apply as eye shadow or face powder. Various manufacturersproduce baked powder cosmetics, typically packaged in a tray (single ormulti-compartment) or small, thin container (compact). In such products,baked powder material is held within the confines of the walls of thetray or container, with an upper surface of the baked powder materialexposed. The tray or container may include a cap or cover that canselectively cover the upper surface of the baked powder material. Whenthe cap or cover is open, the upper surface of the baked powder isexposed and accessible to the user.

Such baked powder cosmetics are typically applied to a user's face, withan application brush or the user's fingers. In particular, a user canrub a brush (or other applying tool) onto the exposed upper surface ofthe baked powder in the tray or container, and then rub the brush (orother tool) onto a selected location of the user's face.

The thin trays or compact containers typically used for baked powdercosmetics can be relatively cumbersome to use and can require two hands(one for holding the tray or compact container, and another for holdingthe application brush or other tool). In addition, such thin trays orcompact containers can be relatively messy to use, in that some of thebaked powder material can be brushed out of the compartment or onto thehousing of the tray or container during use.

In addition, the manner in which the baked powder is applied to theuser's face can be limited by the type of brush or other tool (orfinger) that the user employs to apply the baked powder.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate to a baked powder pencil, in which abaked powder material is formed in a stick or pellet shape and is heldwithin a generally cylindrical (or pencil-shaped) housing. The housingis configured to hold the baked powder stick or pellet in a manner thatexposes an end portion (including an end surface and at least a portionof a side or peripheral surface) of the stick or pellet.

According to an embodiment, a baked powder pencil includes a housinghaving a base portion with a hollow interior and an opening that opensinto the hollow interior. A stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial is disposed at least partially within the hollow interior ofthe base portion. The stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic materialhas an end portion that is arranged to extend through the opening of thebase portion.

In particular embodiments, the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional shape and isconfigured to maintain its three-dimensional shape without externalsupport.

In particular embodiments, the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional, generallycylindrical shape having a head section to be applied to a user's skinand a distal end section that is held within the hollow interior of thebase portion of the housing.

In particular embodiments, the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial comprises a three-dimensional molded, extruded or shaped bodyof baked powder material.

In particular embodiments, the base portion of the housing includes atleast one projection arranged adjacent the opening of the base portion,the at least one projection arranged to project into a body section ofthe stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material.

In particular embodiments, the base portion of the housing includes amoving mechanism configured to selectively move the stick or pellet ofbaked powder cosmetic material through the opening of the base portionto adjust a distance that the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial extends past the opening of the base portion of the housing.

In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism is configured toselectively move the stick or pellet of baked powder material in onedirection to selectively extend the stick or pellet of baked powdercosmetic material further past the opening of the base portion housingand inhibits movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmeticmaterial in an opposite direction that would retract the stick or pelletof baked powder cosmetic material further into the base portion of thehousing.

In particular embodiments, the base portion of the housing includes atleast one projection arranged adjacent the opening of the base portion,the at least one projection arranged to project into a body section ofthe stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material; and the movingmechanism is configured to selectively move the stick or pellet of bakedpowder cosmetic material in one direction to selectively extend thestick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further past theopening of the base portion housing and inhibits movement of the stickor pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in an opposite directionthat would retract the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic materialfurther into the base portion of the housing.

In particular embodiments, the at least one projection is configuredwith a shape that allows movement of the stick or pellet of baked powdercosmetic material in the one direction and inhibits movement of thestick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in the oppositedirection.

In particular embodiments, the at least one projection has a taperedsurface facing into the base portion of housing, the tapered surfacearranged to cut into the body section of the stick or pellet of bakedpowder material as the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic materialis moved in the one direction.

Particular embodiments relate to a baked powder cosmetic including abaked powder cosmetic material formed in a stick or pellet having athree-dimensional shape and configured to maintain its three-dimensionalshape without external support.

In particular embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the stick orpellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a head section havingmultiple, generally planar surfaces extending in multiple respectivelydifferent planes.

In particular embodiments, the multiple different planes extend atmultiple different respective oblique angles relative to each other.

In particular embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the stick orpellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a body section havinga generally cylindrical or semi-cylindrical surface extending along anaxis A, and wherein the multiple planes extend at multiple differentrespective oblique angles relative to the axis A.

In particular embodiments, the three-dimensional shape of the stick orpellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a head section havinga semi-spherical or semi-spheroid shaped surface configured to beapplied to a user's skin.

Further embodiments relate to a method of making a baked powder cosmeticincluding forming a baked powder cosmetic material in a stick or pellethaving a three-dimensional shape and configured to maintain itsthree-dimensional shape without external support; and supporting thestick or pellet in a housing, with a head section of the stick or pelletextending through an opening in the housing, while a body portion of thestick or pellet is contained within the housing.

In particular embodiments, forming the baked powder cosmetic material ina stick or pellet having a three-dimensional shape comprises forming ahead section of the stick or pellet, the head section having asemi-spherical or semi-spheroid shaped surface configured to be appliedto a user's skin.

In particular embodiments, forming the baked powder cosmetic material ina stick or pellet having a three-dimensional shape comprises forming ahead section of the stick or pellet, the head section having multiple,generally planar surfaces extending in multiple respectively differentplanes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the general description given above and thedetailed description given below, serve to explain the features of thevarious embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baked powder pencil according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 2 a-2 d are perspective, side, top and bottom views of a bakedpowder stick or pellet according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the baked powder pencil of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the baked powder pencil of FIG. 1,where the cross-section is taken along the axis A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a base portion component of the bakedpowder pencil of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of a base portion component ofthe baked powder pencil of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the base portion component of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a baked powder pencil according to afurther embodiment.

FIGS. 9-15 are perspective, right side, left side, back, front, top andbottom views of a baked powder stick or pellet according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the baked powder pencil of FIG. 8.

FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the baked powder pencil of FIG. 8,where the cross-section is taken along the axis A.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a baked powder pencil according to afurther embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of the baked powder pencil of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a cross-section view of a base portion component of the bakedpowder pencil of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of a base portion component of the bakedpowder pencil of FIG. 18, with a baked powder stick or pellet locatedwithin the base portion component.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cap for a bakedpowder pencil.

FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of the cap of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers maybe used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.Different reference numbers may be used to refer to different, same, orsimilar parts. References made to particular examples andimplementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention or the claims.

Embodiments described herein relate to baked powder pencils (andcomponents thereof), in which a baked powder material is formed in astick or pellet shape and is held within a generally cylindrical (orpencil-shaped) housing. Further embodiments relate to methods of makingand using such baked powder pencils and components thereof.

In particular embodiments, the housing is configured to hold the bakedpowder stick or pellet in a manner that exposes an end portion(including an end surface and at least a portion of a side or peripheralsurface) of the baked powder stick or pellet. The housing includes acover that selectively fits over the exposed end portion of the bakedpowder stick or pellet, and is selectively removed to allow access tothe exposed end portion of the baked powder stick or pellet. When thecover is removed, the housing may be held (for example, in one hand) andbrought close to the user's face (or other skin area), to bring theexposed end portion of the baked powder stick or pellet into contactwith the user's face (or other skin area). By gripping and moving thehousing, the user may wipe or dab the exposed end portion of the bakedpowder stick or pellet along desired locations on the user's face (orother skin area), to transfer a portion of the baked powder onto thedesired locations of the user's face (or other skin area) in acontrolled manner.

A baked powder pencil 10 according to an example embodiment is shown inFIGS. 1-7. The baked powder pencil 10 includes a housing 12 and a bakedpowder stick or pellet 14. The housing 12 includes a base portion 12 band a cap portion 12 b. The housing 12 is shown in the perspective viewof FIG. 1, with the cap portion 12 b removed and separated from the baseportion 12 a. The housing 12 is shown in the cross-section view of FIG.4, with the cap portion 12 b covering the baked powder stick or pellet14 and secured to the base portion 12 a.

The baked powder stick or pellet 14 is held by the base portion 12 a ofthe housing 12, with at least a portion of the baked powder stick orpellet 14 extending out from one end of the housing 12. In particularembodiments, the base portion 12 a of the housing 12 contains componentsfor retaining the baked powder stick or pellet 14 and, in someembodiments, for selectively increasing (or decreasing, or both) thedistance that the baked powder stick or pellet 14 extends from the baseportion 12 a of the housing 12.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the base portion 12 a of the housing 12 hasa hollow, generally cylindrical shape. In the illustrated embodiment,the cylindrical shape of the base portion 12 a has a generally circularcross-section, taken perpendicular to and centered on an axis A. Inother embodiments, the cylindrical shape of the base portion 12 a hasother suitable cross-section shapes, such as, but not limited to,triangular, rectangular, hexagonal or other polygonal shape, or an ovalor other closed curve shape, or a combination thereof. In furtherembodiments, the cross-section of the base portion 12 a may havedifferent shapes at different locations along the longitudinal axis A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cap portion 12 b of the housing 12 hasa hollow, generally cylindrical shape that corresponds to the generallycylindrical shape of the base portion 12 a of the housing 12. The capportion 12 b has an open end (facing out of view in FIG. 1) and a hollowinterior. The cap portion 12 b is configured to fit over and cover theexposed portion of the baked powder stick or pellet 14, to protect theexposed portion of the baked powder stick or pellet 14. The cap portion12 b is also configured to be selectively removed, to allow access tothe exposed portion of the baked powder stick or pellet 14. Inparticular embodiments, the cap portion 12 b includes one or more ventopenings 16 that open to the hollow interior of the cap portion 12 b,for example, to equalize pressure between the interior and exteriorenvironment of the cap portion 12 b.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the base portion 12 a of the housing 12 hasa larger diameter section (made of two components 12 a ₁ and 12 a ₂) anda smaller diameter section 12 a ₂. The smaller diameter portion 12 a ₃is dimensioned to fit through the open end of the cap portion 12 b andinto the hollow interior of the cap portion 12 b, when the cap portion12 b is fitted over the exposed portion of the baked powder stick orpellet 14.

In particular embodiments, the cap portion 12 b and the base portion 12a, or both, include a mechanism for securing the cap portion 12 b to thebase portion 12 a, when the cap portion 12 b is fitted over the exposedportion of the baked powder stick or pellet 14. In the illustratedembodiment, the housing portion 12 a includes one or more raised members18 (such as, but not limited to ribs, o-rings or other raised features)provided on the outer surface of the smaller diameter portion 12 a ₃(around the axis A). The one or more raised members 18 are configured tofrictionally engage an inner surface of the cap portion 12 b, when thecap portion 12 b is placed over the exposed end of the powder stick orpellet 14. In particular embodiments, the frictional engagement providessufficient friction force to secure the cap portion 12 b to the baseportion 12 a of the housing 12, yet allow selective manual removal ofthe cap portion 12 b from the base portion 12 a (for example, bymanually pulling the cap portion 12 b and base portion 12 a apart inopposite directions along the axis A, with sufficient force to overcomethe frictional engagement force and separate the cap portion 12 b fromthe base portion 12 a.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, two raised members 18 are shown. In otherembodiments, one or more than two raised members 18 are employed tosecure the cap portion 12 b to the base portion 12 a, yet allowselective manual removal of the cap portion 12 b from the base portion12 a. In other embodiments, other suitable securing mechanisms areemployed to secure the cap portion 12 b to the base portion 12 a, yetallow selective manual removal of the cap portion 12 b from the baseportion 12 a, where such other securing mechanisms include, but are notlimited to other friction fitting surfaces of the cap portion 12 b andthe base portion 12 a, mating screw threads on the cap portion 12 b andthe base portion 12 a, slot and tab connectors, or the like.

The base portion 12 a and the cap portion 12 b of the housing 12 may bemade of any suitable material having sufficient rigidity to operate asdescribed herein, where such material may include, but is not limited toplastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, wood, or any combinationthereof. In particular embodiments, the base portion 12 a and the capportion 12 b are made of the same material (same type of material). Inother embodiments, the base portion 12 a is made of a different materialthan the cap portion 12 b. In further embodiments, different sections ofthe base portion 12 a may be made of different materials relative toeach other.

An example embodiment of a baked powder stick or pellet 14 is shown inFIGS. 2 a-2 d. The baked powder stick or pellet 14 is composed of abaked powder material that is pressed into a desired shape. Inparticular embodiments, any suitable baked powder material that, whenpressed and baked, holds a three-dimensional shape without lateralsupport may be employed.

The baked powder material includes one or more colorants or coloringagents to provide a cosmetic material of a desired color and tone (or ofmultiple desired colors or tones). In further embodiments, the bakedpowder material may also include one or more of a skin care agent, abinding agent, or other components. I.

The baked powder stick or pellet 14 is formed into a desiredthree-dimensional shape by pressing the baked powder material withsufficient pressure and heat, in a mold or shaped tray. In otherembodiments, the baked powder stick or pellet is formed by extrusion ormolding processes. In other embodiments, other suitable processes forforming a baked powder stick or pellet 14 may be employed. In particularembodiments, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 is configured tomaintain its three-dimensional shape without external support, such thatthe baked powder stick or pellet 14 can stored and transported in thatshape, and be placed within and held by a base portion 12 a of a housing12 to assemble a baked powder pencil 10, as described herein.

In further embodiments, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 isconfigured to maintain the three-dimensional shape of a head section(e.g., head section 14 c) of the baked powder stick or pellet 14, whilea body and distal end section (e.g. body section 14 a and distal endsection 14 d) are supported within the base portion 12 a of the housing12. In such further embodiments, the body portion 12 a of the housing 12may be configured to provide a sufficiently close or snug fit with thebody and distal end sections (e.g., body section 14 a and distal endsection 14 d) of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 to help hold andmaintain the shape of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 during use(i.e., when the head section of the baked powder stick or pellet 14experiences forces of being applied and rubbed along a user's face orother area of skin).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 hasa generally cylindrical-shaped body section 14 a (having a generallycircular cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis A). The bakedpowder stick or pellet 14 also has a tapered section 14 b, a headsection 14 c and a distal end section 14 d. The head section 14 c has amaximum outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the bodysection 14 a. The tapered section 14 b is located between the bodysection 14 a and the head section 14 c and tapers from the widerdiameter of the body section 14 a to a smaller diameter of the headsection 14 c. In particular embodiments, the head section 14 c has arounded shape, forming a portion of a sphere or spheroid. In otherembodiments, the head section 14 c has other suitable shapes, including,but not limited to a conical or frustoconical shape, multi-facet shape,a tapered shape that continues the taper of the tapered section 14 b, orthe like.

The distal end section 14 d of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 has agenerally cylindrical-shaped body section 14 a (having a generallycircular cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis A), similar tothe shape of the body section 14 a, but having a smaller diameter thanthe body section 14 a. In the embodiment in FIGS. 1-4, the shape of eachof the sections 14 a-d is symmetrical about the axis A.

In particular embodiments, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 has abullet-like shape (resembling the shape of a bullet). In otherembodiments, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 has other suitablethree-dimensional shapes, including, but not limited to other generallyround-cylindrical shapes, other generally cylindrical shapes withpolygonal or non-circular, curved cross-sections (taken perpendicular tothe axis A), or those or other shapes that are not symmetrical about theaxis A.

The baked powder stick or pellet 14 is held at least partially within ahollow interior of the base portion 12 a of the housing 12, and eitherextends partially outward from, or is moveable to a position to extendpartially outward from, a first open end of the base portion 12 a (theupper end in FIG. 1). In particular embodiments, the base portion 12 aof the housing 12 contains a moving mechanism for holding the bakedpowder stick or pellet 14 and selectively moving the baked powder stickor pellet 14 in a direction along the axis A, outward from the open endof the base portion 12 a, to extend the tip of the head section 14 c ofthe baked powder stick or pellet 14 a selected distance from the firstopen end of the base portion 12 a. In such embodiments, the movingmechanism is configured to selectively move the baked powder stick orpellet 14 within the first section of the base portion component 12 a ₁in response to a manual rotation (about the axis A) of the base portioncomponent 12 a ₂ relative to the base portion component 12 a ₁.

In particular embodiments, rotation of the base portion component 12 a ₂in a first rotary direction about the axis A (one of counterclockwise orclockwise) causes the moving mechanism to move the baked powder stick orpellet 14 in first linear direction along the axis A, to extend orfurther extend the baked powder stick or pellet 14 from the first openend of the base portion component 12 a ₁. In this manner, a user maymanually rotate the base portion component 12 a ₂ in a first direction(and in a controlled manner) to adjust the distance that the bakedpowder stick or pellet 14 extends from the base portion 12 a of thehousing 12 (in a controlled manner).

In certain embodiments, the moving mechanism is configured to allowmovement of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 in only one direction(e.g, a direction to extend or further extend the baked powder stick orpellet 14 from the base portion 12 a of the housing 12). By allowingmovement in only one direction, to extend or further extend the bakedpowder stick or pellet 14, the user will be instructed to (and willlearn by experience to) control the movement of the baked powder stickor pellet 14 in a manner to minimize or limit the distance that thebaked powder stick or pellet 14 extends from the base portion 12 a. Assuch embodiments do not allow movement in the refraction direction, theuser will be motivated to extend only enough of the powder stick orpellet 14 as needed for a given cosmetic application. This can result inless waist of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 and can help protectthe baked powder stick or pellet from breakage or crumbling. However, inother embodiments, the moving mechanism is configured to also allowmovement of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 in a second directionalong the axis A (e.g., a direction to retract the baked powder stick orpellet 14 further into the base portion 12 a of the housing 12).

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exploded view and a cross-sectionview of the baked powder pencil 10, including a moving mechanism 20, isshown. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the moving mechanism 20includes a shaft 22 having a length dimension, with a first threadedsection 22 a and a second threaded section 22 b along the lengthdimension. A nut or other protruding member 24 is provided in a centrallocation along the length dimension of the shaft 22, separating thefirst threaded section 22 a from the second threaded section 22 b.

In particular embodiments, the nut or other protruding member 24 isformed integral with the threaded portions of the shaft 22, in a fixedlocation along the length dimension of the shaft 22. In otherembodiments, the nut or protruding member 24 is a separate elementrelative to the shaft 22, and is threaded onto or otherwise secured tothe shaft 22 at a fixed location along the length dimension of the shaft22. In the illustrated embodiment, the nut or protruding member 24 islocated at the center of the length dimension of the shaft 22, such thatthe first threaded section 22 a has a length dimension that isapproximately equal to the length dimension of the second threadedsection 22 b. In other embodiments, the length of the first threadedsection 22 a is greater than the length of the second threaded section22 b. In yet other embodiments, the length of the first threaded section22 a is less than the length of the second threaded section 22 b. Infurther embodiments, the threads on the first section 22 a may beomitted, such that the first section 22 a has an unthreaded (or smooth)outer surface.

In particular embodiments, the nut or protruding member 24 has an outersurface that has a hexagonal cross-section shape (taken perpendicular tothe lengthwise axis of the shaft 22) to inhibit rotation of the shaft 22within the base portion component 12 a ₁ of the housing 12, as describedbelow. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the nut or protrudingmember 24 may have other suitable shapes that inhibit rotation, such as,but not limited to other polygonal shapes or non-circular, closed curveshapes (in cross-section taken perpendicular to the lengthwise axis ofthe shaft 22).

The moving mechanism 20 also includes a support structure 26 thatsupports the baked powder stick or pellet 14. In the illustratedembodiment, the support structure 26 includes a receptacle portion 26 athat is configured to receive and contain at least a portion of thedistal end section 14 d of the baked powder stick or pellet 14. In theillustrated embodiment, the receptacle portion 26 a has a cup shapeincluding a bottom wall 26 a ₁ and an annular side wall 26 a ₂. In otherembodiments, the receptacle portion has other suitable shapes including,but not limited to a flat plate shape. The support structure 26 alsoincludes a second nut or protruding member 26 b that has a suitableconfiguration for inhibiting rotation of the moving mechanism 20 withinthe base portion 12 a, as described above with respect to nut orprotruding member 24.

The moving mechanism 20 may be made of any suitable material orcombination of materials having sufficient rigidity to operate asdescribed herein, where such material may include, but is not limited toplastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, wood, or any combinationthereof. In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism 20 (includingthe shaft portions 22 a and 22 b, the nut or protruding member 24 andthe support structure 26 is formed as a single, unitary structure, forexample, molded, formed in a 3D modeling system, or machined. In otherembodiments, some or all of the shaft portions 22 a and 22 b, the nut orprotruding member 24 and the support structure 26 are separate elementsthat are connected together in a fixed relation to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4 the moving mechanism 20 is configured to threadinglyengage the base portion component 12 a ₂. The base portion component 12a ₂ is configured to connect with the base portion component 12 a ₁ in arotary manner, such that the base portion component 12 a ₂ can bemanually rotated (about the axis A) relative to the base portioncomponent 12 a ₁.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the base portion component 12 a ₂has a generally cylindrical first diameter section 30 that has an outerdiameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of thebase portion component 12 a ₂. In addition, the base portion component12 a ₂ has a second diameter section 32 with a smaller outer diameterthan the first diameter section 30. The second diameter section 32extends from the first diameter section 30, in the direction of the axisA. The second diameter section 32 has an outer diameter size and shapesuitable to fit within a second open end of the base portion section 12a ₁ (the bottom end of the base portion section 12 a ₁ in FIGS. 1, 3 and4).

One or more annular ribs 34 (two are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) areprovided around the outer surface of the second diameter section 32 (andaround the axis A) of the base portion component 12 a ₂. The annularribs 34 are configured and arranged to fit within corresponding annulargrooves 36 formed in the inner surface of the base portion component 12a ₁, near the second open end of the base portion component 12 a ₁.

The annular ribs 34 and grooves 36 provide a mechanism for connectingthe base portion component 12 a ₂ to the base portion component 12 a ₂,yet allow rotation of the base portion component 12 a ₂ relative to thebase portion component 12 a ₁. In other embodiments other suitablemechanisms may be employed for connecting the base portion component 12a ₂ to the base portion component 12 a ₂, and allow rotation of the baseportion component 12 b ₂ relative to the base portion component 12 a ₁.In other embodiments the relative positions of the ribs and grooves arereversed such that the one or more ribs are on the inner surface of thebase portion component 12 a ₁, while the one or more grooves are on thesecond diameter section 32.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the base portion component 12 a ₂has a third diameter section 38, having a smaller outer diameter thanthe outer diameter of the second diameter section 34. In particularembodiments, the third diameter section 38 includes ratchet teeth 39 orother engagement surfaces that engage corresponding features on theinner surface of the base portion component 12 a ₁, to inhibit rotationabout the axis A of the base portion component 12 a ₂ relative to thebase portion component 12 a ₁ in one direction (e.g., a clockwisedirection), but allows relative rotation in the other direction (e.g., acounterclockwise direction). A further perspective view of the baseportion component 12 a ₂ and associated ratchet teeth 39 is shown inFIG. 5. In other embodiments, such ratchet teeth or other engagementfeatures are omitted, allowing relative rotation in both directions. Inyet other embodiments the relative positions of the ratchet teeth andengagement features are reversed such that the ratchet teeth are on theinner surface of the base portion component 12 a ₁, while the furtherengagement features are on the third diameter section 38.

The third diameter section 38 and at least a portion of the seconddiameter section 32 form a hollow, cylindrical interior volume that isopen on one end (the free end of the third diameter section 38) forreceiving at least a portion of the shaft section 22 b of the movingmechanism 20. The inner surface of the hollow interior formed by thethird and second diameter sections 38 and 32 is threaded to match (andthreadingly engage) the threads on the shaft section 22 b of the movingmechanism 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft section 22 b is engaged (in a screwthreaded manner) with the base portion component 12 a ₂. At the sametime, the outer surface of the nut or protruding member 24 and the outersurface of the second nut or protruding member 26 b are arranged to abutan inner surface 38 of the base portion component 12 a ₁. In particularembodiments, the an inner surface 38 of the base portion component 12 a₁ is configured to match or engage with nuts or protruding members 24and 26 b in a manner that inhibits relative rotation of the movingmechanism 20 relative to the base portion component 12 a ₁ of thehousing 12.

Accordingly, when the base portion component 12 a ₂ is rotated (aboutthe axis A) relative to the base portion component 12 a ₁ in onedirection (e.g., a counterclockwise direction), the moving mechanism 20is inhibited from rotating relative to the base portion component 12 a₂, and, thus, is moved linearly in the direction of axis A (due to thethreaded interface between the moving mechanism 20 and the base portioncomponent 12 a ₂. In particular embodiments, the threads on theinterface between the moving mechanism 20 and the base portion component12 a ₂ are configured such that rotation of the base portion component12 a ₂ about the axis A in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise)causes the moving mechanism 20 to move in a direction to extend thebaked powder stick or pellet 14 outward from or further outward from thefirst open end of the base portion component 12 a ₁. As discussed above,further embodiments are configured such that rotation of the baseportion component 12 a ₂ about the axis A in a second direction (e.g.,clockwise) causes the moving mechanism 20 to move in a direction toretract the baked powder stick or pellet 14 inward through the firstopen end of the base portion component 12 a ₁.

The base portion component 12 a ₁ is configured with one or moreretention features to help retain the baked powder stick or pellet 14.In particular embodiments, such features are configured to allow thebaked powder stick or pellet 14 to be moved in an extending direction(to extend or further extend the baked powder stick or pellet 14 fromthe first open end of the base portion component 12 a ₁), but inhibitsmovement of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 in a retractingdirection.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the retention features include oneor more (or a plurality of) projections 40 extending inward (toward theaxis A) from an inner surface 39 (located above inner surface 38 in theorientation of FIG. 7) of the base portion component 12 a ₁. Theprojections 40 are arranged near, but spaced inward from the first openend of the base portion component 12 a ₁. In other embodiments, theprojections are arranged at the edge of the opening on the open end ofthe base portion component 12 a ₁. In the illustrated embodiment, fourprojections 40 are arranged at equally spaced intervals, around the axisA. In other embodiments more or less than four projections 40 areemployed. In particular embodiments, the projections 40 are formedintegral with the base portion component 12 a ₁, for example, but notlimited to, being molded with the base portion component 12 a ₁. Inother embodiments, the projections 40 are separate elements that areattached in a fixed position to the base portion component 12 a ₁.

In particular embodiments, each projection 40 has a relatively thin,ramp shape that forms a tapered surface 40 a facing inward, into thebase portion component 12 a ₁, and a second surface 40 b facing towardthe open end of the base portion component 12 a ₁. The first surface 40a is tapered, inclined or angled (at an oblique angle) relative to theaxis A. The second surface 40 b is generally perpendicular to the axisA. The projections 40 are configured to engage the outer surface of thebody section 14 a of the baked powder stick or pellet 14. In particular,as the baked powder stick or pellet 14 is moved (by the moving mechanism20) in the extending direction (i.e., upward in the direction of FIGS. 1and 6), the ramp shape of the projections allows the projections to cutslightly into the outer surface of the body section 14 a. In thismanner, the projections 40 extend into the body section 14 a and help toretain the baked powder stick or pellet 14 within the base portioncomponent 12 a ₁ of the housing 12 (and inhibit accidental removal ordropping of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 out of the base portioncomponent 12 a ₁ of the housing 12). While the tapered surface 40 a ofeach ramp-shaped projection 40 allows the baked powder stick or pellet14 to be moved in the extending direction (i.e., upward in the directionof FIGS. 1 and 6), the perpendicular surface 40 b of the projections 40inhibits movement of the baked powder stick or pellet 14 in a retractiondirection (i.e., downward in the direction of FIGS. 1 and 6).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the baked powder stick or pellet 14 hasa rounded (or partially spherical or spheroidal) head portion 14 c thatprotrudes outward (e.g., outward from the open end of the base portioncomponent 12 a ₁ by a sufficient amount to allow a user to directlyapply the head portion 14 c to the user's skin. Thus, a user may holdthe housing base 12 a in one hand and contact a desired part of theuser's face (or other area of skin) with the protruding head portion 14c, to apply baked powder to the user's face (or other area of skin). Inparticular embodiments, the head portion 14 c of the baked powder stickor pellet 14 is configured in a shape that enhances the ability to applythe baked powder in a precise or controlled manner.

For example, a baked powder pencil 110 according to a further embodimentis shown in FIGS. 8-15, where the baked powder pencil 110 has a bakedpowder stick or pellet 114 that has a shape configured to providemultiple contact surfaces of different widths, lengths or shapes, toprovide different effects when applied to the user's face (or other areaof skin). The baked powder stick or pellet 114 is made of a material andby a process similar to any of the example materials and processesdescribed above with respect to baked powder stick or pellet 14, but isshaped as described herein. A perspective view of the baked powderpencil 110, with the cap portion removed from the base portion of thehousing is shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 9-15 show various views of the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114, including a perspective view in FIG. 9,right and left side views in FIGS. 10 and 11, back and front views inFIGS. 12 and 13 and top and bottom views in FIGS. 14 and 15.

With reference to FIGS. 9-15, the baked powder stick or pellet 114 has agenerally longitudinal shape that has a lengthwise dimension along anaxis A. The baked powder stick or pellet 114 has a semi-cylindrical orcurved front surface 114 a extending lengthwise in the direction of theaxis A and curved partially around the axis A. The baked powder stick orpellet 114 has a generally flat or planar back surface 114 b extendinglengthwise in the direction of the axis A and widthwise in a directionperpendicular to the axis A. In particular embodiments, generally flator planar side surfaces 114 c and 114 d extend widthwise from the frontsurface 114 a to the back surface 114 b, and lengthwise in the directionof the axis A. In other embodiments, the semi-cylindrical or curvedfront surface 114 a extends all of the way to the rear surface 114 b,instead of the flat or planar side surfaces 114 c and 114 b.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-15, the baked powder stick or pellet 114has a head section 114 e that is shaped with multiple, generally planarsurfaces extending in multiple respectively different planes. Inparticular embodiments, the multiple different planes extend at multipledifferent respective angles (e.g., oblique angles) relative to eachother and relative to the axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, thehead section 114 e has two surfaces (generally planar first and secondsurfaces 114 e ₁ and 114 e ₂) in two different planes. In otherembodiments, the head section is formed with three surfaces in threedifferent planes (or more than three surfaces in more than threedifferent planes). The generally planar first surface 114 e ₁ extends ina first plane that is inclined or angled (at an oblique angle) relativeto the axis A. The generally planar first surface 114 e ₁ extends fromthe semi-cylindrical or curved front surface 114 a, toward the generallyplanar back surface 114 b, and from one side surface 114 c to the otherside surface 114 d.

In particular embodiments, the angle of the first plane (the plane ofthe first surface 114 e ₁) relative to the axis A is between about 20and 80 degrees. In other embodiments, that angle is between 30 and 60degrees. In particular embodiments, that angle is about 45 degrees. Inother embodiments, the angle of the first plane relative to the axis Ais any other suitable oblique angle.

The generally planar second surface 114 e ₂ extends between the firstsurface 114 e ₁ and the back surface 114 b, and from one side surface114 c to the other side surface 114 d. The second surface 114 e ₂ isgenerally flat and extends in a second plane that is neither the sameas, nor parallel to, the first plane in which the first surface 114 e ₁extends. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8-15, the second surface 114 e ₂is angled at an oblique angle relative to the first surface 114 e ₁. Inparticular embodiments, the second surface 114 e ₂ has a generally flator planar shape. In other embodiments, the second surface 114 e ₂ hasother shapes such as, but not limited to an outwardly bowed orprojecting shape, a generally semi-cylindrical shape, a roundedsemi-spherical or semi-spheroidal shape, or the like.

The multiple surfaces of the head section 114 e of the baked powderstick or pellet 114 provide a user with multiple options for applyingthe baked powder cosmetic to the user's face (or other skin area). Forexample, the first surface 114 e ₁ has a relatively large surface area(as compared to the second surface 114 e ₂) and, thus, can apply arelatively wide band, spot or patch of baked powder cosmetic on theuser's face (or other skin area), when the first surface 114 e ₁ isapplied (e.g., contacted with and wiped or dabbed on the face or otherskin area). Accordingly, with the first surface 114 e ₁, a user may drawa relatively wide line or pattern (as compared to the second surface 114e ₂). Furthermore, the curved front edge of the first surface 114 e ₁(provided by virtue of the shape of the semi-cylindrical or curved frontsurface 114 a) enhances the ability of the user to control the width ofthe line or pattern drawn to be about the width defined by the widestportion of the first surface 114 e ₁ (i.e., the portion of the firstsurface 114 e ₁ closest to the back surface 114 b). In addition, theoblique angle of the first surface 114 e ₁ relative to the secondsurface 114 e ₂, allows the user to apply the first surface 114 e ₁ tothe skin, while the second surface 114 e ₂ is separated from the skin(for example, by contacting the skin with the first surface 114 e ₁lying generally flat or parallel to the surface of the skin).

The second surface 114 e ₂ has a smaller surface area than the firstsurface 114 e ₁. The second surface 114 e ₂ has a first width dimension(from one side surface 114 c to the other side surface 114 d) that isabout the same width as the widest portion of the first surface 114 e ₁.However, the second surface 114 e ₂ has a second width dimension (fromthe first surface 114 e ₁ to the back surface 114 b, that is smaller(narrower) than the same width dimension of the first surface 114 e ₁(from the front surface 114 a to the second surface 114 e ₂).Accordingly, the second surface 114 e ₂ provides a relatively narrowsurface area (in a side dimension as shown in the side views of FIGS. 9and 10) that allows the user to draw a relatively thin line or pattern(as compared to the first surface 114 e ₁). In addition, the obliqueangle of the first surface 114 e ₁ relative to the second surface 114 e₂, allows the user to apply the second surface 114 e ₂ to the skin,while the first surface 114 e ₁ is separated from the skin (for example,by contacting the skin with the second surface 114 e ₂ lying generallyflat or parallel to the surface of the skin).

The baked powder pencil 110 (FIG. 8) includes a housing 112 that holdsthe baked powder stick or pellet 14. The housing 112 includes a baseportion 112 a and a cap portion 112 b. The base portion 112 a of thehousing 112 has two components 112 a ₁ and 112 a ₂, where the baseportion component and 112 a ₂ is connected to the base portion component112 a ₁ for rotation about the axis A relative to the base portioncomponent and 112 a ₁. The base portion component 112 a ₁ includes areduced diameter portion 112 a ₃, on which one or more raised members118 are provided (similar in structure and operation as the reduceddiameter portion 12 a ₃ and raised members 18 described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-7).

The housing 112 is shown in FIG. 8, with the cap portion 112 b removedfrom the base portion 112 a. In particular embodiments, the housing 112(and the baked powder stick or pellet 114) has a smaller cross-sectiondiameter (taken perpendicular to the axis A) than the housing 12 inFIG. 1. In such embodiments, the baked powder pencil 110 in FIG. 8 has arelatively thin or small-diameter form factor as compared to the bakedpowder pencil in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, a user can apply thinneror finer lines or patterns of baked powder to the user's face (or otherskin area), as compared to the larger diameter baked powder pencil inFIG. 1. In other embodiments, the baked powder pencil 110 in FIG. 8 hasa cross-section diameter that is about the same as, or larger than, thecross-section diameter of the baked powder pencil 10 in FIG. 1.

The baked powder stick or pellet 114 is held by the base portion 112 aof the housing 112, with at least a portion of the baked powder stick orpellet 114 extending out from one end of the housing 112. In particularembodiments, the base portion 112 a of the housing 112 containscomponents for retaining the baked powder stick or pellet 114 and, insome embodiments, for selectively increasing (or decreasing, or both)the distance that the baked powder stick or pellet 114 extends from thebase portion 112 a of the housing 112.

The baked powder stick or pellet 114 is held at least partially within ahollow interior of the base portion 112 a of the housing 112, and eitherextends partially outward from or is moveable to a position to extendpartially outward from a first open end of the base portion 112 a (theupper end in FIG. 8). In particular embodiments, the base portion 112 aof the housing 112 contains a moving mechanism for holding the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114 and selectively moving the baked powder stickor pellet 114 in a direction along the axis A, outward from the open endof the base portion 112 a, to extend the tip of the head section 114 eof the baked powder stick or pellet 114 a selected distance from thefirst open end of the base portion 112 a. In such embodiments, themoving mechanism is configured to selectively move the baked powderstick or pellet 114 within the first base portion component 112 a ₁ inresponse to a manual rotation (about the axis A) of the second baseportion component 112 a ₂ relative to the base portion component 112 a₁.

In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism in the base portion 112a of the housing 112 is similar to the moving mechanism described abovewith respect to FIGS. 1-7. In such embodiments, the base portion 112 a(including components 112 a ₁ and 112 a ₂) and the cap 112 b are similarto the base portion 12 a (including components 12 a ₁ and 12 a ₂) andthe cap 12 b described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7. Accordingly, forsuch embodiments, the description above relating to the moving mechanism20, the base portion 12 a (including components 12 a ₁ and 12 a ₂) andthe cap 12 b are incorporated herein by reference.

In other embodiments, the moving mechanism, base portion or cap in theembodiment of FIG. 8 is different from the moving mechanism, baseportion or cap of FIGS. 1-7. For example, in other embodiments, themoving mechanism in the base portion 112 a of FIG. 8 has a configurationas described and shown with respect to FIGS. 16 and 17.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, a moving mechanism 120 includes atube member 122 and a support structure 124. In addition, the embodimentof FIGS. 8, 16 and 17 includes a guide member 128. The tube member 122has a generally cylindrical shape with a hollow, generally cylindricalinterior. One end 122 a of the tube member 122 has a set of knurls orgear teeth configured to engage and mate with a corresponding set ofknurls or teeth on the inner surface of a hollow interior of the baseportion component 112 a ₂. In other embodiments, the tube member 122 isformed integral with the base portion component 112 a ₂, as a single,unitary structure. Accordingly, the tube member 122 rotates about theaxis A, relative to the base portion component 112 a ₁, when the baseportion component 112 a ₂ is manually rotated about the axis A relativeto the base portion component 112 a ₁. The inner surface of the hollowinterior of the tube member 122 is threaded.

The support structure 124 has a shaft portion 124 a that has alengthwise dimension extending in the direction of axis A. The shaftportion 124 a has an outer surface provided with threads that match (ormate with) the threads on the inner surface of the tube member 122. Thesupport structure 124 also includes a receptacle portion 126 for holdingor abutting against an end portion of the baked powder stick or pellet114.

The guide member 128 has a generally cylindrical tube shape, with ahollow, generally cylindrical interior. The guide member 128 isconfigured to receive a length portion of the baked powder stick orpellet 114 and the receptacle portion 126 within the hollow interior ofthe guide member. The inner wall surface of the hollow guide member 128surrounds a length portion of the baked powder stick or pellet 114, tohelp support the baked powder stick or pellet 114 during use, and helpretain the shape of the baked powder stick or pellet 114.

An end portion 128 a of the guide member 128 has an opening 128 a ₁through which a portion of the baked powder stick or pellet 114 extends.The end portion 128 a of the guide member 128 has an annular edge 128 a₂ that surrounds the opening 128 a ₁. The annular edge is inclined orangled relative to the axis A (extends in a plane that is at an obliqueangle relative to the axis A). In particular embodiments, the angle ofthe annular edge 128 a ₂ relative to the axis A is about the same(matches) the oblique angle of the head section 114 a of the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114, when the baked powder stick or pellet 114 isreceived within the hollow interior of the guide member 128.

The head section 114 e includes a generally planar first surface 114 e ₁extending in a first plane that is inclined or angled (at an obliqueangle) relative to the axis A. Accordingly, only a small portion of theshaped end section 114 e of the baked powder stick or pellet 114 needsto extend outward from the opening 128 a ₁ to be exposed for use. Theshape of the end portion 128 a and the angle of the annular edge 128 a ₂of the guide member 128 is such that the end portion 128 a and annularedge 128 a ₂ of the guide member 128 surrounds the head section 114 e ofthe baked powder stick or pellet 114 and follows the contour of themultiple surfaces of the head section 114 e. In that manner, themultiple surfaces of the head section 114 e can be exposed and used inthe manner discussed above, while the guide member 128 supports thebaked powder stick or pellet 114 and helps retain the shape of headsection 114 e of the baked powder stick or pellet 114.

The moving mechanism 120 is configured to selectively move the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114 within the guide member 128 and base portioncomponent 112 a ₁ in response to a manual rotation (about the axis A) ofthe base portion component 112 a ₂ relative to the base portioncomponent 112 a ₁. In particular embodiments, rotation of the baseportion component 112 a ₂ in a first rotary direction about the axis A(one of counterclockwise or clockwise) causes the moving mechanism 120to move the baked powder stick or pellet 114 in first linear directionalong the axis A, to extend or further extend the baked powder stick orpellet 114 through the opening 128 a ₁ of the guide member 128. In thismanner, a user may manually rotate the base portion component 112 a ₂ ina first direction to adjust the distance that the baked powder stick orpellet 114 extends from the guide member 128 (and, thus, from the baseportion 112 a of the housing 112).

In certain embodiments, the moving mechanism 120 is configured to allowmovement of the baked powder stick or pellet 114 in only one direction(e.g, a direction to further extend the baked powder stick or pellet 114from the base portion 112 a of the housing 112). In other embodiments,the moving mechanism is configured to also allow movement of the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114 in a second direction along the axis A (e.g.,a direction to retract the baked powder stick or pellet 114 further intothe base portion 112 a of the housing 112).

More specifically, manual rotation of the base portion component 112 a ₂about the axis A relative to the base portion component 112 a ₁ causesthe tube member 122 to rotate about the axis A. Rotation of the tubemember 122 causes a linear movement of the support structure 124 in thedirection of the axis A, resulting in linear movement of the bakedpowder stick or pellet 114 in the direction of the axis A. In thismanner, a user may manually rotate the base portion component 112 a ₂ ina first direction to adjust the distance that the baked powder stick orpellet 114 extends from the base portion 112 a of the housing 112. Inparticular embodiments, one end portion (the lower end portion in FIG.16) of the guide member 128 has a set of ratchet teeth that areconfigured to engage one or more ratchet teeth or stop surfaces on thetube member 122, to allow rotation of the tube member 122 in onedirection (e.g., a direction for extending or further extending thebaked powder stick or pellet 114 from the opening 128 a ₁ of the guidemember 128), but inhibits rotation in the opposite direct (e.g., aretraction direction). In such embodiments, the guide member 128 has anouter surface (having a non-circular cross-section shape) that isconfigured to engage a correspondingly shaped inner surface of the baseportion component 112 a ₁, where the engaged surfaces inhibit rotationof the guide member 128 relative to the base portion component 112 a ₁.

In particular embodiments, the inner surface of the guide member 128includes one or more (or a plurality of) projections, such as theramp-shaped projections 40 described above with respect to theembodiment of FIG. 1-7. In other embodiments, the guide member 128 doesnot include projections 40 and, instead, has a length and diametersuitable for retaining the baked powder stick or pellet 114.

A baked powder pencil 210 according to a further embodiment is shown inFIGS. 18-21. An exploded, perspective view of the baked powder pencil210 is shown in FIG. 18. A cross-sectional view of the baked powderpencil 210, is shown in FIG. 19. In particular embodiments, whenassembled, the backed powder pencil 210 appears similar to the bakedpowder pencil 10 shown in FIG. 1 (and may have similar or differentrelative dimensions than the baked powder pencil 10 in FIG. 1).

The baked powder pencil 210 (FIG. 18) includes a housing 212 that holdsthe baked powder stick or pellet. The baked powder stick or pellet (notshown in FIGS. 18-20) may be similar to, or according to, any of thebaked powder stick or pellet configurations described with respect tothe embodiments of FIGS. 1-17, or may have other suitableconfigurations. The housing 212 includes a base portion 212 a and a capportion 212 b. The base portion 212 a of the housing 212 has twocomponents 212 a 1 and 212 a 2, where the base portion component and 212a 2 is connected to the base portion component 212 a 1 for rotationabout the axis A relative to the base portion component and 212 a 1. Thebase portion component 212 a 1 includes a reduced diameter portion 212 a3, on which one or more raised members 218 are provided (similar instructure and operation as the reduced diameter portion 12 a 3 andraised members 18 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7).

The housing 212 is shown in FIG. 18, with the cap portion 212 b removedfrom the base portion 212 a. In particular embodiments, the housing 212(and the baked powder stick or pellet contained in that housing) has asmaller cross-section diameter (taken perpendicular to the axis A) thanthe housing 12 in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, the baked powder pencil210 in FIG. 18 has a relatively thin or small-diameter form factor ascompared to the baked powder pencil in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, auser can apply thinner or finer lines or patterns of baked powder to theuser's face (or other skin area), as compared to the larger diameterbaked powder pencil in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the housing 212 ofthe baked powder pencil 210 in FIG. 18 has a cross-section diameter thatis about the same as, or larger than, the cross-section diameter of thehousing 12 of the baked powder pencil 10 in FIG. 1.

When the housing 212 is filled with (receives or contains) the bakedpowder stick or pellet, the baked powder stick or pellet is held withinthe base portion 212 a of the housing 212, with at least a portion ofthe baked powder stick or pellet extending out from the cap end of thehousing 212, for example, in a manner similar to, but not limited to amanner as described and shown with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.1-17. In particular embodiments, the base portion 212 a of the housing212 contains components for retaining the baked powder stick or pelletand, in some embodiments, for selectively increasing (or decreasing, orboth) the distance that the baked powder stick or pellet extends fromthe base portion 212 a of the housing 212. In certain embodiments, suchcomponents are configured to contain or hold a portion of the bakedpowder stick or pellet. In other embodiments, such components may beconfigured to abut the baked powder stick or pencil, but do not containany portion of the baked powder stick or pellet.

When installed and received in the housing 212, the baked powder stickor pellet is held at least partially within a hollow interior of thebase portion 212 a of the housing 212, and either extends partiallyoutward from or is moveable to a position to extend partially outwardfrom a first open end of the base portion 212 a (the cap end or upperend in FIG. 18). In particular embodiments, the base portion 212 a ofthe housing 212 contains a moving mechanism for selectively moving thebaked powder stick or pellet in a direction along the axis A, outwardfrom the first open end of the base portion 212 a, to extend the tip ofa head section of the baked powder stick or pellet a selected distancefrom the first open end of the base portion 212 a. In such embodiments,the moving mechanism is configured to selectively move the baked powderstick or pellet within the first base portion component 212 a 1 inresponse to a manual rotation (about the axis A) of the second baseportion component 212 a 2 relative to the base portion component 212 a1.

In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism 220 in the base portion212 a of the housing 212 is similar to the moving mechanism 20 describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1-7. In such embodiments, the base portion212 a (including components 212 a 1 and 212 a 2) and the cap 212 b aresimilar to the base portion 12 a (including components 12 a 1 and 12 a2) and the cap 12 b described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7.Accordingly, for such embodiments, the description above relating to themoving mechanism 20, the base portion 12 a (including components 12 a 1and 12 a 2) and the cap 12 b are incorporated herein by reference.

In other embodiments, the moving mechanism in the base portion 212 a ofthe housing 212 is similar to the moving mechanism 120 described abovewith respect to FIGS. 16 and 17. In such embodiments, the base portion212 a (including components 212 a 1 and 212 a 2) and the cap 212 b aresimilar to the base portion 112 a (including components 112 a 1 and 112a 2) and the cap 112 b described above with respect to FIGS. 8-17.Accordingly, for such embodiments, the description above relating to themoving mechanism 120, the base portion 112 a (including components 112 a1 and 112 a 2) and the cap 112 b are incorporated herein by reference.In other embodiments, the moving mechanism, base portion or cap in theembodiment of FIG. 18 is different from the moving mechanisms, baseportions or caps of FIGS. 1-17.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-21, a moving mechanism 220 operates with atube member 221. The tube member 221 has a generally cylindrical shapewith a hollow, generally cylindrical interior. In certain embodiments,the tube member 221 may be formed integral with the base portioncomponent 212 a 2. In other embodiments, the tube member 221 may beformed as a separate member relative to the base portion component 212 a2, and is connected to the base portion component 212 a 2 in anysuitable manner, such as, but not limited to engaging or mating sets ofknurls or gear teeth on the outer surface of one end of the tube member221 and on the inner surface of a hollow interior of the base portioncomponent 212 a 2 (for example, similar to that on the embodiment inFIG. 16, at the end 122 a of the tube member 122). Accordingly, the tubemember 221 rotates about the axis A, relative to the base portioncomponent 212 a 1, when the base portion component 212 a 2 is manuallyrotated about the axis A relative to the base portion component 212 a 1.An inner surface of the hollow interior of the tube member 221 isthreaded.

The moving mechanism 220 has a shaft portion 222 that has a lengthwisedimension extending in the direction of axis A. The shaft portion 222has an outer surface provided with threads that match (or mate with) thethreads on the inner surface of the tube member 221. The movingmechanism 220 also includes a head portion 226. In particularembodiments, the head portion 226 is composed of an unthreaded, free endof the shaft 222. In other embodiments, the head portion 226 isconfigured as a ram or piston head that has a larger diameter (in adimension perpendicular to the axis A) than the diameter of the shaftportion 222. In particular embodiments, the outer diameter of the headportion 226 matches (or is slightly smaller than) an inner diameter ofthe base portion component 212 a 1, to allow the support structure 224to move linearly (in the direction of axis A) within the interior of thebase portion component 212 a 1. In embodiments where the interiorsurface of the base portion component 212 a 1 has a hexagonal (or othernon-circular) cross section shape (taken perpendicular to the axis A),the outer diameter of the head portion 226 matches (or is slightlysmaller than) the inner diameter of the base portion component 212 a 1as defined by the flat surface areas of the hexagonal shape (or by thesmallest diameter portion of the non-circular shape). In suchembodiments, the head portion 226 may help to stabilize the movingmechanism 220, and inhibit lateral motion (in a direction transverse tothe axis A) of the moving mechanism 220 relative to the base portioncomponent 212 a 1, as the moving mechanism 220 is moved in a lineardirection along the axis A relative to the base portion component 212 a1.

In certain embodiments, the head portion 226 may be provided with a cupshape configuration, for example, but not limited to, a cup shapereceptacle portion as described with respect to receptacle portion 26 ain the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. Such embodiments can provide additionalstability to minimize lateral motion (transverse to the axis A) of thebaked powder stick or pellet within the base portion 212 a and can helpretain the baked powder stick or pellet within the base portion 212 a.

However, in particular embodiments, the head portion 226 of the movingmechanism 220 has a generally flat surface at its free end (upper end inFIG. 18) for contacting and abutting against an end of the baked powderstick or pellet, while minimizing stress on the baked powder stick orpellet, when the baked powder stick or pellet is located within the baseportion 212 a. The generally flat surface has a surface area thatextends generally transverse (for example, but not limited to,perpendicular) to the axis A and provides an abutment to push againstone end of the baked powder stick or pellet, as the moving mechanism 220moves linearly along the axis A, in a direction to further repel thebaked powder stick or pellet from the open end (cap end) of the baseportion 212 a.

Thus, in particular embodiments, to minimize lateral sheer forces on thebaked powder stick or pellet, the flat end surface of the head portion226 has no (or minimal) cup shape feature and no (or minimal) otherfeatures that extend between the baked powder stick or pellet and a thesurface of the inner wall of the base portion 212 a. Such embodimentscan provide additional flexibility regarding the type of baked powderstick or pellet that can be employed, for example, allowing forrelatively fragile baked powder stick or pellet structures to retaintheir shape (without breaking apart inside of the base portion 212 a)when moved in a linear direction of axis A within the base portion 212a. In embodiments in which the head portion 226 of the moving mechanism220 has a generally flat configuration (or embodiments in which acup-shaped or other suitable configuration is employed), additionallateral stability can be provided by stabilizing members describedbelow.

In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism 220 includes one or morenuts or other protruding members 224 is provided in a central locationalong the length dimension of the shaft 222. The nut or other protrudingmember 224 may be similar in structure and operation to the nut or otherprotruding member 24 described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7.

In particular embodiments, the nut or protruding member 224 has an outersurface that has a hexagonal cross-section shape (taken perpendicular tothe lengthwise axis of the shaft 222) that matches or mates with acorrespondingly shaped inner surface of the base portion component 212 a1, to inhibit rotation of the shaft 222 relative to the base portioncomponent 212 a 1, as described below. In the example shown in FIGS. 20and 21, the inner surface of the base portion component 212 a 1 has agenerally hexagonal cross-section shape, to correspond to a generallyhexagonal shaped nut or protruding member 224. In other embodiments, theouter surface of the nut or protruding member 224 may have othersuitable shapes that inhibit rotation, such as, but not limited to otherpolygonal shapes or non-circular, closed curve shapes (in cross-sectiontaken perpendicular to the lengthwise axis A of the shaft 222).

In certain embodiments, the moving mechanism 220 also includes a secondnut or protruding member (for example, but not limited to, a nut orprotruding member similar to 26 b in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7) thathas a suitable configuration for inhibiting rotation of the movingmechanism 220 relative to the base portion component 212 a 1. The firstand second nuts and/or protruding members (or one of such members, whenthe other is omitted) are/is configured to mate with a correspondinglyshaped interior surface of the base portion component 212 a 1, to allowlinear movement of the moving mechanism 220 within the base portioncomponent 212 a 1, but inhibit rotation of the moving mechanism 220about the axis A, relative to the base portion component 212 a 1.

The moving mechanism 220 may be made of any one or more suitablematerials or combination of materials having sufficient rigidity tooperate as described herein, where such material may include, but is notlimited to plastic, metal, ceramic, composite material, wood, or anycombination thereof. In particular embodiments, the moving mechanism 220(including the shaft 222, the nut or protruding member 224 and the headportion 226 is formed as a single, unitary structure, for example,molded, formed in a 3D modeling system, or machined. In otherembodiments, some or all of the shaft 222, the nut or protruding member224 and the head portion 226 are separate elements that are connectedtogether in a fixed relation to each other.

The moving mechanism 220 is configured operate similar to the movingmechanism 20 described with respect to FIGS. 1-7, to selectively movethe baked powder stick or pellet within the base portion component 212 a1 in response to a manual rotation (about the axis A) of the baseportion component 212 a 2 relative to the base portion component 212 a1. In particular embodiments, rotation of the base portion component 212a 2 in a first rotary direction about the axis A (one ofcounterclockwise or clockwise) causes the moving mechanism 220 to movethe baked powder stick or pellet in first linear direction along theaxis A, to extend or further extend the baked powder stick or pelletthrough the open end (cap end) of the base portion component 212 a 1. Inthis manner, a user may manually rotate the base portion component 212 a2 in a first direction to adjust the distance that the baked powderstick or pellet extends from the base portion 212 a of the housing 212.

In certain embodiments, the moving mechanism 220 is configured to allowmovement of the baked powder stick or pellet in only one direction (e.g,a direction to further extend the baked powder stick or pellet from thebase portion 212 a of the housing 212). In other embodiments, the movingmechanism is configured to also allow movement of the baked powder stickor pellet in a second direction along the axis A (e.g., a direction toretract the baked powder stick or pellet further into the base portion212 a of the housing 212).

The shaft 222 of the moving mechanism 220 is configured to threadinglyengage the base portion component 212 a 2 (for example, but not limitedto, an engagement similar to the manner in which the moving mechanism 20engages the base portion component 12 a 2 in the embodiment of FIGS.1-7). The base portion component 212 a 2 is configured to connect withthe base portion component 212 a 1 in a rotary manner, such that thebase portion component 212 a 2 can be manually rotated (about the axisA) relative to the base portion component 212 a 1. In particularembodiments, the base portion component 212 a 2 includes one or moreannular ribs 234 (for example, similar to the annular ribs 34 in FIGS.1-7), configured to connect with the base portion component 212 a 1 in amanner similar to the manner in which the base portion component 12 a 2connects with the base portion component 12 a 1 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7. In other embodiments other suitable mechanisms may beemployed for connecting the base portion component 212 a 2 to the baseportion component 212 a 2, and allow rotation of the base portioncomponent 212 b 2 relative to the base portion component 212 a 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the base portion component 212 a 2 hasratchet teeth 239 (similar to ratchet teeth 39 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-7) or other engagement surfaces that engage correspondingfeatures on the inner surface of the base portion component 212 a 1, toinhibit rotation about the axis A of the base portion component 212 a 2relative to the base portion component 212 a 1 in one direction (e.g., aclockwise direction), but allows relative rotation in the otherdirection (e.g., a counterclockwise direction). In other embodiments,such ratchet teeth or other engagement features are omitted, allowingrelative rotation in both directions. In yet other embodiments therelative positions of the ratchet teeth and engagement features arereversed such that the ratchet teeth are on the inner surface of thebase portion component 212 a 1, while the further engagement featuresare on the base portion component 212 a 2.

The base portion component 212 a 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 18 has ahollow, cylindrical interior volume that is open on one end (the upperend in FIG. 18) for receiving at least a portion of the shaft 222 of themoving mechanism 220. The inner surface of the hollow interior of thebase portion component 212 a 2 is threaded to match (and threadinglyengage) the threads on the shaft 222 of the moving mechanism 220.

When a portion of the shaft 222 is threadingly received within thehollow interior of the base portion component 212 a 2, a further portionof the shaft 222 (e.g., a portion with the nut or protruding member 224and head 226) extend inside of the hollow interior of the base portioncomponent 212 a 1. The outer surface of the nut or protruding member 224and the outer surface of the head portion 226 of the moving mechanism220 are arranged to abut an inner surface of the base portion component212 a 1. As discussed above, in particular embodiments, the innersurface of the base portion component 212 a 1 is configured to match orengage with nut or protruding member 224 in a manner that inhibitsrelative rotation of the moving mechanism 220 about the axis A, relativeto the base portion component 212 a 1 of the housing 212.

Accordingly, when the base portion component 212 a 2 is rotated (aboutthe axis A) relative to the base portion component 212 a 1 in onedirection (e.g., a counterclockwise direction), the moving mechanism 220is inhibited from rotating relative to the base portion component 212 a2, and, thus, is moved linearly in the direction of axis A (due to thethreaded interface between the moving mechanism 220 and the base portioncomponent 212 a 2. In particular embodiments, the threads on theinterface between the moving mechanism 220 and the base portioncomponent 212 a 1 are configured such that rotation of the base portioncomponent 212 a 2 about the axis A in a first direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) causes the moving mechanism 220 to move in a directionto extend the baked powder stick or pellet outward from or furtheroutward from the open end (cap end) of the base portion component 212 a1. As discussed above, further embodiments are configured such thatrotation of the base portion component 212 a 2 about the axis A in asecond direction (e.g., clockwise) causes the moving mechanism 220 tomove in a direction to retract the baked powder stick or pellet inwardthrough the first open end of the base portion component 212 a 1, whileother embodiments are configured to inhibit rotation of the base portioncomponent 212 a 2 about the axis A in the second direction.

As the moving mechanism 220 moves in a direction to extend the bakedpowder stick or pellet outward from or further outward, the movingmechanism 220 pushes against an end of the baked powder stick or pellet,to move the baked powder stick or pellet along the axis A, within theinterior of the base portion component 212 a 1. In particularembodiments, one or more stabilizing members is provided to helpstabilize the baked powder stick or pellet from moving in a directiontransverse (or lateral) to the axis A, while still allowing the bakedpowder stick or pellet to be selectively moved (by the moving mechanism220) in a direction of the axis A.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, cross-sectional views(taken perpendicular to the axis A) of an embodiment of a base portioncomponent 212 a 1 having stabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and 250 c isshown. In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 and 21, the interior surface of thebase portion component 212 a 1 has a generally hexagonal cross-sectionshape that defines six flat surfaces around the axis A. The stabilizingmembers 250 a, 250 b and 250 c are arranged on three of the six flatsurfaces, at equal spacing from each other. In other embodiments, moreor less than three stabilizing members may be employed. For example, infurther embodiments, a separate stabilizing member is provided on eachof the six flat surfaces. In yet other embodiments that employ baseportion component 212 a 1 having other interior cross-sectional shapes(other than hexagonal), other arrangements of one or more stabilizingmembers may be employed.

In certain embodiments, the one or more stabilizing members include oneor more cushioning members provided within the interior of the baseportion component 212 a 1. Such cushioning members may be formed of astrip or pad of relatively soft or cushioning material, such as, but notlimited to a foam, rubber, silicon, felt, fabric, or other suitablematerial, arranged along one or more interior surfaces of the baseportion component 212 a 1. In particular embodiments, one or more ofsuch strips or pads of cushioning members are adhered to one or moreinterior surfaces of the base portion component 212 a 1, by any suitableadhesive including, but not limited to a glue, double-sided tape, heatweld, or the like. In other embodiments, the one or more stabilizingmembers are molded with or otherwise formed on the base portioncomponent 212 a 1, for example, as a unitary structure with the baseportion component 212 a 1.

With reference to FIGS. 18-21, the stabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and250 c are arranged on a portion of the interior surface(s) of the baseportion component 212 a 1 located near the open end (cap end) of thebase portion component 212 a 1, but spaced from the open end (or capend). In particular embodiments, the stabilizing members 250 a, 250 band 250 c are spaced from the open end (or cap end) by a lip orring-shaped portion 252 of the base portion component 212 a 1, at theopen end (cap end) of the base portion component 212 a 1. In certainembodiments, the lip or ring-shaped portion 252 may have an innerdiameter that is about tangent to or slightly larger than the diameterdefined by the flat surfaces of the hexagonal-shaped interior surface ofthe base portion component 212 a 1. (e.g., corresponding to, or slightlylarger than the broken circle shown in FIG. 21).

In certain embodiments, the ring-shaped portion 252 of the base portioncomponent 212 a 1 is molded with or otherwise formed integral with therest of the base portion component 212 a 1. In other embodiments, thering-shaped portion 252 of the base portion component 212 a 1 is formedseparate from the base portion component 212 a 1 and is subsequentlyattached to the base portion component 212 a 1 by glue, welding or anyother suitable attachment mechanism. In particular embodiments, thestabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and 250 c are located on the interiorsurface(s) of the base portion component 212 a 1 at a position above thenut or protruding member 224 of the moving mechanism 220 (between thenut or protruding member 224 and the open or cap end of the base portioncomponent 212 a 1), so as not to be engaged by the nut or protrudingmember 224 throughout the entire range of movement of the movingmechanism 220 within the base portion component 212 a 1. Accordingly, asshown in FIG. 18-21, in particular embodiments, the stabilizing members250 a, 250 b and 250 c are located between the ring-shaped portion 252,and the highest possible location (on the axis A) of the nut orprotruding member 224 (along the range of motion of the moving mechanism220).

With reference to FIG. 21, when the baked powder stick or pellet islocated within the base portion component 212 a 1, the outer surface ofthe baked powder stick or pellet is in contact with one or more (or eachof) the stabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and 250 c. In particular, thestabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and 250 c inhibit lateral movement(transverse to the direction of the axis A) of the baked powder stick orpellet, when the moving mechanism moves the baked powder stick or pelletin the direction of the axis A. In embodiments in which the stabilizingmembers 250 a, 250 b and 250 c are composed of a resilient cushioningmaterial, the outer surface of the baked powder stick or pellet(represented by the broken lines in FIG. 21) may press against andpartially deform one or more (or each of) the stabilizing members 250 a,250 b and 250 c. Accordingly, the stabilizing members 250 a, 250 b and250 c can provide a lateral support or force that gently inhibitslateral motion (transverse to the axis A) and helps to protect the bakedpowder stick or pellet from damage, while also allowing the baked powderstick or pellet to be selectively moved, linearly, along the axis A bythe moving mechanism 220.

In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more stabilizingmembers, the base portion component 212 a 1 is configured with one ormore retention features to help retain the baked powder stick or pelletin the base portion component 212 a 1. In particular embodiments, suchretention features include one or more (or a plurality of) projections240 extending inward (toward the axis A) from an inner surface of thering-shaped portion 252 of the base portion component 212 a 1. Theprojections 240 may be similar to the ramp shaped projections 40 in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-7. In such embodiments, the tapered surface ofeach ramp-shaped projection 240 allows the baked powder stick or pelletto be moved in the extending direction (i.e., upward in the direction ofFIGS. 18 and 19), but inhibits movement of the baked powder stick orpellet in a retraction direction (i.e., downward in the direction ofFIGS. 18 and 19). In particular embodiments, three projections arearranged around the axis A, each at a 120 degree spacing from adjacentprojections. However, in other embodiments, more or less than threeprojections may be arranged around the axis A.

The embodiment in FIGS. 18-21 includes a base portion component 212 a 1that has an open end (cap end) having an annular edge that is generallyperpendicular to the axis A. However, in other embodiments, the annularedge of the open end (cap end) of the base portion component 212 a 1 isconfigured at an oblique or inclined angle relative to the axis A, forexample, but not limited to the inclined, angled annular edge 128 a 2 ofthe guide member 128 in the embodiment of FIGS. 8-17. In suchembodiments, a single (or at least one) projection 240 is arranged onthe inner surface of the base portion component 212 a 1 (or the innersurface of the ring-shaped portion 252) at a location adjacent and justbelow the lower side of the angled, annular edge (i.e., corresponding tothe right side of the annular edge 128 a 2 in the view orientation shownin FIGS. 8-17). In such embodiments, the projection 240 forces the bakedpowder stick or pellet toward the longer inner surface of the baseportion component 212 a 1 (i.e., on the left side of the interior of theguide member 128 in the orientation of FIG. 8). In such embodiments, theprojection 240 and the longer side of the interior wall of the baseportion component 212 a 1 can operate together, for additional stabilityand retention of the baked powder stick or pellet within the baseportion component 212 a 1.

The embodiments in FIGS. 1-21 include a cap 12 b, 112 b and 212 b. Inother embodiments, the cap may be omitted. In yet other embodiments, thecap 12 b, 112 b and 212 b may include a cushion feature, such as, butnot limited to a cushion insert 260 as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Inparticular embodiments, the cushion insert comprises a soft or resilientcushioning material, such as, but not limited to a foam, rubber,silicon, felt, fabric, or other suitable material. In particularembodiments, the cushion insert is configured as a separate element thatis inserted into and adhered to the interior of the cap 12 b, 112 b or212 b. The cushion insert can provide additional stability andprotection for an extended end of the baked powder stick or pellet. Inparticular embodiments, the cushion insert includes a slot, slit,indentation or recess 262 that receives a portion (e.g., tip end) of theend of the baked powder stick or pellet, when the cap 12 b, 112 b or 212b is installed onto the base portion 12 a, 112 a or 212 a. In furtherembodiments, the cushion insert may have sufficient rigidity to providea honing, shaping or sharpening action on the tip end of the bakedpowder stick or pellet, to help reform a desired shape of the tip end,when the cap 12 b, 112 b or 212 b is installed onto the base portion 12a, 112 a or 212 a.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to some embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A baked powder pencil comprising: a housing having a base portion with a hollow interior and an opening that opens into the hollow interior; and a stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material disposed at least partially within the hollow interior of the base portion, the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material having an end portion that is arranged to extend through the opening of the base portion.
 2. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional shape and is configured to maintain its three-dimensional shape without external support.
 3. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a baked powder material composed of one or more coloring agents to provide a desired color and tone, a skin care agent, or a binding agent.
 4. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional, generally cylindrical shape having a head section to be applied to a user's skin and a distal end section that is held within the hollow interior of the base portion of the housing.
 5. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a three-dimensional molded, extruded or shaped body of baked powder material.
 6. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the base portion of the housing includes at least one projection arranged adjacent the opening of the base portion, the at least one projection arranged to project into a body section of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material.
 7. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one projection is configured with a shape that allows movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in one direction to selectively extend the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further past the opening of the base portion housing, and wherein the at least one projection has a tapered surface facing into the base portion of housing, the tapered surface arranged to cut into the body section of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material as the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is moved in the one direction.
 8. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one projection comprises a plurality of ramp-shaped projections arranged around an axis that extends through the opening of the base portion of the housing.
 9. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 1, wherein the base portion of the housing includes a moving mechanism configured to selectively move the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material through the opening of the base portion to adjust a distance that the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material extends past the opening of the base portion of the housing.
 10. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 9, wherein the moving mechanism is configured to selectively move the stick or pellet of baked powder material in one direction to selectively extend the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further past the opening of the base portion housing and inhibits movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in an opposite direction that would retract the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further into the base portion of the housing.
 11. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 9, wherein: the base portion of the housing includes at least one projection arranged adjacent the opening of the base portion, the at least one projection arranged to project into a body section of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material; and the moving mechanism is configured to selectively move the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in one direction to selectively extend the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further past the opening of the base portion housing and inhibits movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in an opposite direction that would retract the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material further into the base portion of the housing.
 12. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 11, wherein: the opening of the base portion of the housing has an annular edge that is angled at an oblique angle relative to the one direction at which the moving mechanism selectively moves the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material, the annular edge having a first edge portion that is closer an end of the base portion opposite to the opening than a second edge portion; and the at least one projection is arranged on an interior surface of the base portion, adjacent the first edge portion of the annular edge.
 13. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one projection is configured with a shape that allows movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in the one direction and inhibits movement of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material in the opposite direction.
 14. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one projection has a tapered surface facing into the base portion of housing, the tapered surface arranged to cut into the body section of the stick or pellet of baked powder material as the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is moved in the one direction.
 15. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 9, further comprising at least one stabilizing member arranged within the hollow interior of the base portion to minimize or inhibit movement of the baked powder stick or pellet in a direction transverse to a direction at which the moving mechanism selectively moves the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material.
 16. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one stabilizing member comprises at least one of: (a) at least one pad of resilient cushioning material, or (b) a plurality of pads of material each arranged at an equal distance from adjacent pads around an axis of the base portion of the housing.
 17. A baked powder pencil as recited in claim 15, wherein the base portion has an interior surface having a polygonal cross-section shape and wherein the at least one stabilizing member comprises a plurality of stabilizing members, each arranged on a different respective flat surface of the polygonal cross-section shape of the interior surface.
 18. A baked powder cosmetic, comprising: a baked powder cosmetic material formed in a stick or pellet having a three-dimensional shape and configured to maintain its three-dimensional shape without external support.
 19. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, wherein the baked powder cosmetic material includes one or more coloring agents to provide a desired color and tone, a skin care agent, or a binding agent.
 20. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, wherein the baked powder stick or pellet is formed into a pre-defined three-dimensional, generally cylindrical shape having a head section configured to be applied to a user's skin, and a distal end section that is held within a housing.
 21. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a head section having multiple, generally planar surfaces extending in multiple respectively different planes.
 22. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 21, wherein the multiple different planes extend at multiple different respective oblique angles relative to each other.
 23. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 22, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a body section having a generally cylindrical or semi-cylindrical surface extending along an axis A, and wherein the multiple planes extend at multiple different respective oblique angles relative to the axis A.
 24. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a head section having a semi-spherical or semi-spheroid shaped surface configured to be applied to a user's skin.
 25. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, further comprising a housing having a base portion with a hollow interior and an opening that opens into the hollow interior, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material is supported at least partially within the hollow interior of the base portion of the housing, with the head section arranged to extend at least partially out from the opening of the base portion of the housing.
 26. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 25, wherein the base portion of the housing includes at least one projection arranged adjacent the opening of the base section, the at least one projection arranged to project into a body portion of the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material.
 27. A baked powder cosmetic as recited in claim 18, wherein the three-dimensional shape of the stick or pellet of baked powder cosmetic material comprises a head section having a semi-spherical or semi-spheroid shaped surface, a body section having a generally cylindrical surface, and a tapered surface extending from the generally cylindrical surface of the body section to the semi-spherical or semi-spheroid shaped surface of the head section.
 28. A method of making a baked powder cosmetic comprising forming a baked powder cosmetic material in a stick or pellet having a three-dimensional shape and configured to maintain its three-dimensional shape without external support; and supporting the stick or pellet in a housing, with a head section of the stick or pellet extending through an opening in the housing, while a body portion of the stick or pellet is contained within the housing. 